Conor Murray and John Cooney reveal all about their scrum-half rivalry

Suffice to say, there was many a raised eyebrow when the Irish press corps learned who was up for media duties at Ireland HQ yesterday. Conor Murray and John Cooney, side by side, we were informed. OK, then.

It would have been unimaginable to see O’Gara and Sexton fronting a press conference together back in the day.

‘They’re two very different personalities,’ Murray interjects, with a laugh.

A very fair point from the Munster, Ireland and Lions No9. Despite all the outside noise, it is apparent that Murray and Cooney have a far more amicable relationship than those two singled-minded No10s in their heyday. The pair go way back and were once competing for a starting spot in the same Ireland U20s squad more than a decade ago.

There is clearly a healthy rivalry here. You couldn’t say the same about Sexton and his Cork nemesis.

Murray and Cooney addressed their rivalry. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

‘You don’t have to try to create animosity,’ says Murray. ‘If you get along, you get along. You train as hard as you can.

Cooney agrees: ‘Conor and I have known each other for so long, it’s a bit different.’

‘It might be new to you guys but we’ve known each other for quite a while so ye can continue to build it up,’ Murray adds.

There is no question that Murray is under pressure, however. The 30-year-old was virtually undroppable under Joe Schmidt but this is a new regime and his Ulster rival is playing the best rugby of his life.

John Cooney’s form has put Conor Murray under intense pressure. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane

‘Always,’ comes the reply from Murray when asked if he is feeling the pressure.

‘Any time you come into international camp, you’re wondering, you’re hoping that you get the nod at the weekend.

‘But it’s clear and obvious with the season that John’s having that’s obviously going to cause a lot of ripples, a lot of chat, and that can be a big distraction.

‘For me, it kind of narrows the focus, it motivates me to play as well as I can, to train as well as I can to put myself in the best position to get the nod at the weekend and stay in that jersey. That’s what everyone wants.’

Brian O’Driscoll has called for Cooney’s inclusion in the starting XV on Saturday. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Cooney takes up it from there: ‘I don’t think the media realise how much we do together, like after training we’re always passing, we’re always kicking, and I think we spend quite a lot of time, we have a lot of meetings together.

‘So generally even in your province, you’re always really close with the other scrumhalves because you work so hard together, on your day off you do your kicking and your passing together.’

All very amicable and polite, but both of them want to start for Ireland at the end of the day?

‘Yeah, but there’s no point in being nasty,’ Murray replies.

Conor Murray still has a point to prove. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

It’s a selection headache every coach wants to have. Two players pushing each other on. One of the main criticisms levelled at the previous regime was the rigid nature of the pecking order. Many of the fringe players felt that Schmidt’s Ireland was a closed shop, especially in that ill-fated final 12 months when change was sorely needed but the former Ireland boss stayed loyal to a clutch of frontliners.

There is a sense in this new setup that form will be rewarded. ‘Absolutely,’ Murray concurs.

‘Whenever I’m in for a rep, you try to run it as best as you can, and then John or Luke (McGrath) goes in and tries to run it as best as they can, too.

‘That’s the competitiveness at its peak but there’s ways of handling that too.’

Murray comes across as a laidback character most of the time and he’s in good company with Cooney by his side.

The Dubliner is a deep thinker, but sees the big picture. While Murray took the fast lane to Test recognition, Cooney took the scenic route, to Belfast by way of Leinster and Connacht, and he is enjoying the journey.

‘If you’re trying to improve yourself personally and we’re putting pressure on each other, he’s going to improve himself personally,’ he adds.

‘So it works out that way, you don’t always have to make it obvious that you have a bit of discomfort or whatever. If I’m going to be my best self, he’s gonna be his best self. It doesn’t really matter, you can always get along.’

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